I've got a satellite dish installed on the bus and want to get a service provider, but have never used satellite TV services. Anyone have any comments on which service works best if one plans to grab a receiver from home and throw it in the bus for a week or so?I've heard that one or the other systems won't work, or they'll surcharge, if the phone line isn't connected...obviously that wouldn't work. May consider paying extra $5 bucks a month and just leaving the receiver in the bus.I saw something on this in a Busconversion Mag recently, but can't find the article. Any related bus satellite info is welcome too. I've already figured that a portable dish is a good idea if parking under trees...Now we're getting complicated! Being $$$ challenged, I cannot afford a "King Dome" or any such thing...got a crank up dish. Winegard? Reckon it'll work..or the antenna may limit my choices? I just gotta have access to Geezer MTV....also known as the "Weather Channel". I've got a cell phone that'll access the weather channel, even get tiny little radar maps, but somehow the 2" screen lacks impact. Need a Fox News fix too when camping. Any info will be appreciated! JR

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JR Lynch , Charlotte, NC87 MC9, 6V92TA DDEC, HT748R ATEC

"Every government interference in the economy consists of giving an unearned benefit, extorted by force, to some men at the expense of others.”

I've got a satellite dish installed on the bus and want to get a service provider, but have never used satellite TV services. Anyone have any comments on which service works best if one plans to grab a receiver from home and throw it in the bus for a week or so?I've heard that one or the other systems won't work, or they'll surcharge, if the phone line isn't connected...obviously that wouldn't work. May consider paying extra $5 bucks a month and just leaving the receiver in the bus.I saw something on this in a Busconversion Mag recently, but can't find the article. Any related bus satellite info is welcome too. I've already figured that a portable dish is a good idea if parking under trees...Now we're getting complicated! Being $$$ challenged, I cannot afford a "King Dome" or any such thing...got a crank up dish. Winegard? Reckon it'll work..or the antenna may limit my choices? I just gotta have access to Geezer MTV....also known as the "Weather Channel". I've got a cell phone that'll access the weather channel, even get tiny little radar maps, but somehow the 2" screen lacks impact. Need a Fox News fix too when camping. Any info will be appreciated! JR

I use Dish Network on a Winegard crank up. There are no surcharges and a phone line does not need to be connected. I think with DirectTV, you have to have a phone line to order PPV. The only downside is that Dish uses two satellites. When you switch to a channel on the other satellite, you have to point the dish to that satellite. Just about everything is on 119. I think the only time I have to switch to 110 is if I go to a local channel.

If you're handy to aim a dish by hand(read: compas, angle meter,or sun,) you could get a free to air receiver & get all you need. (BUT NO PROGRAMATION FROM D.TV. OR D.N.) here FAQ: http://forums.al7bar.tk/index.php

First, the Antenna. We use the crank up winegard antenna also. Be sure and get the digital readout meter that goes inside you coach that gives the antenna elevation in degrees. We have found that unless you are parked exactly level, as you rotate the antenna, the elevation changes. This can make it extremely difficult to find the satelitte without knowing the actual antenna elevation. I also recommend carrying a portable antenna to set up when parked under trees.Second, The Provider. Both services provide pretty much the same programming. We started with Dish Network at our house and were happy with them. We added an additional receiver for our bus (listed as an additional receiver at our house). The problem we ran into was that Dish Network satelitte is lower in the sky and on several occassions, the signal was blocked by trees while coaches parked next to us could receive Direct TV (over the top of the trees). When we changed to Direct TV, they told us the coach had to be a separate account (full monthly fee). We ordered 3 receivers, all for our house. Of course we installed one of them in the bus. The only downside to this is that we cannot get local channels in the bus if we are more than 150 miles from home and we are not eliglble the the national feeds. We have had Direct TV for almost 2 years and havge never connected any of our receivers to a phone line, but we do not watch pay per veiw. Also as already mentioned, Direct TV has all their programming (except local channels) on the same satelitte. Hope this helps, Jack

If you're handy to aim a dish by hand(read: compas, angle meter,or sun,) you could get a free to air receiver & get all you need. (BUT NO PROGRAMATION FROM D.TV. OR D.N.) here FAQ: http://http://forums.al7bar.tk/index.php

Hi, wrench

I went to the website and see you can buy receivers to watch "free tv", do you have a link to what stations are available? I didn't see a simple introduction to everything, or perhaps you can explain what we are getting into here.

Years ago Direct TV had a deal of some kind where you could move the receiver from Home to RV without any extra charges. It was something you had to ask for. Was not advertised very well, if at all. I would recommend a little gizmo I bought from Radio Shack with two coax connectors and a meter. You installed it in the line near the antenna so you could read on the meter when you were getting a signal as you adjusted the antenna. Richard

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When we changed to Direct TV, they told us the coach had to be a separate account (full monthly fee). We ordered 3 receivers, all for our house. Of course we installed one of them in the bus. The only downside to this is that we cannot get local channels in the bus if we are more than 150 miles from home and we are not eliglble the the national feeds. [/b] We have had Direct TV for almost 2 years and havge never connected any of our receivers to a phone line, but we do not watch pay per veiw. Also as already mentioned, Direct TV has all their programming (except local channels) on the same satelitte. Hope this helps, Jack

Coach on separate account? That has not been my experience with DTV. As a mobile subscriber, you should be eligible for the Distant Network Pacakage as stated here...http://directv.com/DTVAPP/Learn/DNS_Vehicles.jspIf you need to order a Pay Per View, you can do so on the DTV website.

I use Dish Network with my King Dome, still have to manually switch from 110 to 119 but the program guideadjusts if you select SUB program favorites and it will only show channels listed on the satellite you are aimed at.

I like Dish because there's no contact, no credit and the rates and service are fair. And unlikeDTV they don't penalize you for not having a phone line (ever!).

Recently switched to Dish Net. from Direct TV. Direct gave me too much missinformation. I was getting a different answer every time I called about same question concering the use of a DVR. They even sold me one including free install. Then installer asked where my landline was? To make a long story short, I now take my Dish Net. dual receiver DVR from my home system, connect it to our system in the bus and have all functions except pay per view, which is available via cell phone or internet. I don't have a landline at home and gladly pay $5.00 extra per month. When I get to destination, I call to change my service address to get local chanels. I have not yet tried to aquire the four major networks, but so far locals are working out ok. skip102dl

Here is another opinion.First of all I am a king Dome/KVH installer as well as a Starband Mobile Internet installer.As for which is better, Dish/Directv, mostly it is a Ford/Chevy deal. I personally like Dish better. Better customer service being the main reason. Also with Dish, if you opt to get the RV designation waver, you can choose locals from either L.A., New York, Denver, Chicago, or Atlanta. Directv offers L.A. or New York.Directv now has one satellite, 101, for everything except High Definition which is on 119. They will soon be using 3 satellites.Dish uses 110 and 119 for the bulk of their programming. They to will also be using more satellites for High Def..You can get a multiple head dish from either of them and mount the dish, feedarm and LNBs on your crank up. I would advise a portable unit to use in tree areas.Finding the satellites is not hard, just takes practice. The important thing is to be level and plumb with your dish and know how to read a compass.As for Free to Air, you can access Dish and Directv with them and doing some finagiling to override the scrambing. That is called theft of services. A matter of ethics. There are a lot of free programming on Free To Air, but it can be tough to find.As for DVRs/ TIVO you may need a phone line for the initial setup and TIVO (Directv) needs to be updated with a phone line.I hope I didn't confuse you more.J.

Thanks for all the info so far...all interesting. Looks like Direct has the best satellite position..but Dish offers better service? Anyone know how the programming is divided between 110 and 119 on the Dish Network?Talked to the local supplier of satellite services today and asked about Direct TV and was promptly steering to Dish Network. Didn't do anything yet. Wondering why he was so interested in selling Dish...probably some sort of perk from Dish. What's the deal with buying your own receivers? Save the rent, but? Are the satellite providers going to replace a receiver that fails if it's leased? If not, might as well own it. Best Buy had a deal where you buy Direct TV and they sold a receiver for $200 bucks, but rebated $200 bucks. Seems an odd way to do business. Must be a perk in that sale too. Interesting subject. Probably be able to find the satellite...as long as it's there. My TV is only a few feet from the dish machinery. My understanding that the TV screen has a meter built into receiver...a signal strength screen. ?? is this so? Reckon I'd need something for the portable dish is I use one. I can just imagine Terri standing inside screaming out dish aiming directions! Be like her standing behind the bus and flapping her wings when you don't stop on the designated inch! NOT! Thanks again, and keep the info coming! This really helps make a decision. JR

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JR Lynch , Charlotte, NC87 MC9, 6V92TA DDEC, HT748R ATEC

"Every government interference in the economy consists of giving an unearned benefit, extorted by force, to some men at the expense of others.”

As others have stated, it seems like both have their advantages. I have used Driect for the last 8 years or so and could not be happier. I am really fortunate that I can park the bus next to my house when I am home so I just run a coax cable from the bus to the house. My reciever (RCA) has the radio option so I can run the reciever from the house which makes it kind of nice. When I am home I plug it into a phone line so I can get the pay per view stuff and when on the road it takes them 3 months to figure out that I don't have a phone line and then all it takes is a phone call to them to get a movie.

I use the automatic system from "Cruise TV". It has the exposed dish which I find works better in extremes. I can get my dish to work almost to Prince George, Canada and a couple hundred miles from Mazatlan, Mexico. My buddys that I travel with don't have quite that range. The reason, they tell me, is that the dome units have to cut the top and bottom of the dish to make them fit in the dome. I have the local Los Angeles staions and I love keeping up on my local news.